Firmino: 'It would be awful' if Coutinho leaves Liverpool

Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho are Liverpool's central figures, and the former knows just how bad it would be if the latter was to depart Anfield.

After it was reported that Coutinho submitted a transfer request, Firmino said he prefers not to think about his compatriot departing Liverpool because of how horrible it would be. The Brazilian forward joined the Reds in 2015 - two years after the product of Vasco da Gama arrived at the club - and their friendship is well documented.

"I prefer to not think of (Coutinho leaving) because it would be awful," Firmino declared, according to the Liverpool Echo's James Pearce.

"He's a great player but also a great friend to me. It is normal that great teams are interested in his football but my concentration is now on the team. My objective is to win cups with Liverpool so I can enter the history of this club. This season is special because it is World Cup season. From childhood, I had the dream to play the World Cup. To be selected to the World Cup, I need to have my best season with Liverpool."

Liverpool will play TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Firmino's former club, in the play-offs of the Champions League. Coutinho is sidelined for the first leg due to a back injury.

"Nothing has changed in the last few days, not on the one side, not on the other side," Jurgen Klopp stated. "He is not available for us in the moment, that's the main issue if you want. He cannot play for Liverpool in this moment and, how everybody can imagine, that's quite a blow for us. We've known for a few days about it so we can prepare this game without him, like we have to prepare the game without Adam Lallana and Daniel Sturridge."

Firmino and Coutinho were named to Brazil's squad for the Selecao's next two 2018 World Cup qualifiers. The national team will welcome Ecuador at Arena do Gremio on Aug. 31 and visit Colombia at Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Melendez on Sept. 5.